The Lord's Prayer Translated from Aramaic
Have you ever heard the expression, "It was lost in the translation?"
When something is written in one language, it is written within the cultural context and beliefs of the individual. When those words are translated, the cultural context can, and is often, lost.
When I give workshops in Japan my words are translated by an interpreter.
There will be times I say something that lasts about 15 seconds in English and it takes a minute to put it into Japanese. The interpreter is having to give more information to give the context and full meaning of what I'm saying.
There are times when there is no Japanese translation for the word. The English word is used and is defined in Japanese.
Think about the various translations of spiritual writings.
The most common and most loved prayer of Christianity is The Lord's Prayer.
The translation used in Christianity is actually a translation of a translation. It was translated from Aramaic to Greek to English.
I want to show you what happens when you translated The Lord's Prayer from Aramaic to English.
First, the translation most Christians use.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
[For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.]
Amen.
Before I show you the translation from Aramaic to English, I need to tell you that this translation may not be accurate. Why? There are versions of the prayer on the Internet, where I found this, that are in the context of mysticism. This may very well be one of them.
I happen to think it's beautiful, so I share it with you here.
O cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration!
Soften the ground of our being
and carve out a space within us
where your Presence can abide.
Fill us with your creativity
so that we may be empowered
to bear the fruit of your mission.
Let each of our actions bear fruit
in accordance with our desire.
Endow us with the wisdom
to produce and share
what each being needs to grow and flourish.
Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us,
as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes.
Do not let us be seduced
by that which would divert us from our true purpose,
but illuminate the opportunities of the present moment.
For you are the ground and the fruitful vision,
the birth-power and fulfillment,
as all is gathered and made whole once again.
Both versions of the prayer are beautiful and meaningful.
The question is, "Which is more meaningful to you?"
When reading a sacred text translated from its original language, you would garner a more complete understanding of the original by reading several different translations.
Use the one which has the most meaning for you.
